Is it the crease? Is it a bat? Cricket's version of the black and blue/white and gold dress
Optical illusion causes social media stir
An optical illusion has confused fans on social media during Australia's three-wicket win over India at the MCG on Sunday night.
Confusion reigned when Matthew Wade was dismissed by Ishant Sharma in the 39th over, skying a ball to Shikhar Dhawan at wide mid-on.
WATCH: Wade top-edges Ishant to Dhawan
Wade left the field of play, but replays hinted that Ishant had overstepped the crease, which would have saved Australia's wicketkeeper.
@CricketAus Looked like Front foot no ball in Wade"s dismissal. Do they check them?
— Kinsky (@DJKinsky) January 17, 2016
That was a no ball by a long way. @CricketAus #AUSvsIND
— Layton Creative (@_laytoncreative) January 17, 2016
@WWOS9 @CricketAus #AUSvIND Wade just went out on a front foot! No Ball! I think!!! Someone wants India to win! #CheckItOut9
— Greg Hilson (@GregHilson) January 17, 2016
A closer inspection of the replay showed plenty of Ishant's front foot to be clearly behind the line, and hence the delivery was legal.
No ball wicket. Hey bring back Wade #AUSvIND https://t.co/C2x8k7ULWB
— JJ (@jjliveson) January 17, 2016
@CricketAus That looks like a no ball to me
— ema (@25MMCC) January 17, 2016
@CricketAus 😑 no ball for sure. #AUSvIND
— Rob (@lalwt_) January 17, 2016
@CricketAus if they aren't going to call them they should check them at the fall of wickets
— Greg Boardley (@boards2803) January 17, 2016
@CricketAus Wow. How did they miss that?
— Ashlee (@_itsashleeee_) January 17, 2016
But what many casual observers believed to be the line Ishant was overstepping was in fact the non-striker's bat – that of man of the match Glenn Maxwell.
@Lukey_15 @CricketAus my bad the bat was the confusion, thank you for telling me!
— Ashlee (@_itsashleeee_) January 17, 2016
@CricketAus yes looking again is definitely a legitimate delivery #my mistake
— Bradley (@canpunt) January 17, 2016
Ha that fooled me https://t.co/eLmnhsPCsX
— Lachlan Bickley (@mrsports83) January 17, 2016
@CricketAus Haha, exactly the explanation I gave my husband when he looked at it and thought it was a no ball!
— Bek Jones (@bekscilla) January 17, 2016
Social media erupted over the initial ruling, and again when the optical illusion was pointed out.